Initially formed in 1976 in London, England, they didn't reach a stable line-up or decide on the Spandau name until 1978. Their odd title allegedly came from a piece of bathroom graffiti observed during the members early days. Inspired by a mixture of avant-garde synth pop and slick funk. as typified by their early track "Chant No 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)", also known by other titles such as "Chant # 1", the band commercially broke through with an artistic public image as remarked upon as their music. Said track reached the #2 spot in the U.K. and was notable for inclusion of the horn section from the group Beggar & Co, which proved a fruitful collaboration on record.
Spandau Ballet's first two albums, 1981's 'Journeys to Glory' and 1982's 'Diamond', found them also mining their art rock and glam rock roots as their fan-base expanded, the group looking to the works of David Bowie and Roxy Music for inspiration. Both albums charted in the U.K. top 20 and were later certified gold by the RIAA. Additional popular songs from the band in this era include "To Cut a Long Story Short" and "Freeze" (also known as "The Freeze". The group also notably picked up a semi-friendly rivalry with new wave contemporaries Duran Duran.
After four hits in the U.K. followed by a couple of less successful releases, however, Spandau Ballet's chart career appeared to be on the wane. Yet Instinction, re-ignited their fortunes and became the first of eleven consecutive singles to reach the Top 20
Immensely popular in the UK, the New Romantic group eventually mellowed into a mainstream pop act. As with Duran Duran they 'broke America', albeit briefly - the title track of their 3rd album True peaked in the Top 5 of the Singles charts. The song gained a new life in the 1990's and beyond by being sampled in the songs Set Adrift on Memory Bliss by PM Dawn and N Dey Say by Nelly.
After a split in 1990 and a court case almost ten years later involving Hadley, Keeble & Norman suing Gary Kemp over royalties, they announced in March 2009 a reformation.
How Many Lies
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once there were reasons filled with rhymes,
Everything shared, everything told
You keep me so warm,
Protect me from all those mighty storms
And dreams seem so old
So look at us now, just look at us now,
With our hands on our hearts
How many lies must we tell?
How many lies must we see?
How many times must we say, it's for the best?
And leave truth as the casualty?
Do you read through the lines,
Or believe the TV and the Times?
Where can we find more ways to see?
You strain on the truth,
And make believe all when you cry wolf,
And the lies you're giving me
So look at us now, just look at us now,
With our hands on our hearts
And lines on our brow
How many lies must we tell?
How many lies must we see?
How many times must we say, it's for the best?
And leave truth as the casualty?
Oh, well the truth is hard,
So when they write the book,
Fiction's what you wanna be
Well, it's your freedom of choice,
But you know that lies, are the cancer of democracy
You've painted your face,
And now you've tainted your words
And now you're ready and armed with love
Well if you're head is steady,
And your soul is ready,
We're going up above
So whatever you wanna be,
Just come on along with me,
If there's truth in our hearts,
Maybe we can break free
How many lies must we tell?
How many lies must we see?
How many times must we say, it's for the best?
And leave truth as the casualty?
How many lies must we tell?
How many lies must we see?
How many times must we say, it's for the best?
And leave truth as the casualty?
How many times must we say,it's for the best?
And leave nothing, yeah
In "How Many Lies?" by Spandau Ballet, the lyrics express frustration with the prevalence of lies and disinformation in society. The song laments the loss of truth in the media and in personal relationships, exploring the idea that lies are like a cancer that can erode democracy and lead to societal breakdown. The lyrics ask how many lies must be told and how many times the idea that something is "for the best" must be used to justify dishonesty.
The opening verses express nostalgia for a time in the past when things were simpler, more honest, and more connected: "Once there were times, / Once there were reasons filled with rhymes, / Everything shared, everything told / You keep me so warm, / Protect me from all those mighty storms / And dreams seem so old." However, the remainder of the song focuses on the present and the need to address rampant lies and falsehoods: "Where can we find more ways to see? / You strain on the truth, / And make believe all when you cry wolf, / And the lies you're giving me."
Line by Line Meaning
Once there were times,
There was a time in the past when things were different.
Once there were reasons filled with rhymes,
There were meaningful and poetic reasons behind our actions.
Everything shared, everything told
We used to share and communicate everything.
You keep me so warm,
You provide me with comfort and protection.
Protect me from all those mighty storms
You shield me from difficult and trying situations.
And dreams seem so old
Our aspirations and hopes feel distant and outdated.
So look at us now, just look at us now,
Consider our current situation and how we've changed.
With our hands on our hearts
We make a sincere pledge or promise.
And lines on our brow
We show visible signs of stress, worry, or aging.
How many lies must we tell?
We wonder how many untruths we have to speak.
How many lies must we see?
We question how many falsehoods we have to witness.
How many times must we say, it's for the best?
We inquire about how often we have to justify our actions as being beneficial.
And leave truth as the casualty?
Truth is being sacrificed for other purposes.
Do you read through the lines,
Do you analyze and interpret what's really being communicated?
Or believe the TV and the Times?
Do you trust mainstream media or do you have a healthy skepticism?
Where can we find more ways to see?
We are searching for alternative perspectives and sources of information.
You strain on the truth,
You push and twist the truth in order to fit your narrative.
And make believe all when you cry wolf,
You pretend and exaggerate in order to create a sense of danger or urgency.
And the lies you're giving me
You're deceiving me with false information.
Oh, well the truth is hard,
The truth is difficult and challenging to face.
So when they write the book,
When history is recorded or when the story is told.
Fiction's what you wanna be
You prefer to distort or invent reality for your own benefit.
Well, it's your freedom of choice,
You have the right to choose your own actions.
But you know that lies, are the cancer of democracy
You understand that lying can erode and harm the foundations of a democratic society.
You've painted your face,
You've put on a false persona or disguise.
And now you've tainted your words
You've contaminated your speech with deceit.
And now you're ready and armed with love
You're prepared and equipped with affection and compassion.
Well if you're head is steady,
If you're able to think clearly and logically.
And your soul is ready,
If you're prepared to act with integrity and morality.
We're going up above
We're aspiring to a higher level of consciousness or spirituality.
So whatever you wanna be,
You have the freedom to choose your own destiny.
Just come on along with me,
Join me on this journey.
If there's truth in our hearts,
If we are honest and genuine in our intentions.
Maybe we can break free
Perhaps we can liberate ourselves from the constraints of lies and deception.
And leave nothing, yeah
And let nothing be sacrificed or lost in the process.
Contributed by Ruby F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.